How to Buy a Home in Connecticut with Confidence

Buying a house is likely the single largest investment you'll make and, like a good marriage, if it's the right one, it may last a lifetime. But how can you be confident in your home buying, especially if you're a first-time buyer?

With so many homes to choose from, how do you know if this house is the one?

Sounds like a dating question. And, coincidentally, using some of the same techniques used to determine if you're marrying the right person may also help you decide which home is the best for your needs. These days more buyers are coupling up – buying homes together (even if they're not in a relationship) to offset the cost and be able to afford more.

So, how can you be confident that the home you're buying will meet your needs? Start with some basic guidelines. Make a list ofyour must-haves, needs, and wants. These are truly three different categories. ....CLICK HERE TO READ MORE in my Monthly Newsletter

Credit: Phoebe Chongchua

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The Featured Home of the Week is at 125 Norton Road in Easton  for $1.4M. See the virtual tour HERE

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like:

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Get Rid of Your Pushy Real Estate Agent.

There is nothing worse than a pushy sales person, especially a pushy real estate agent.  Do this, do that now, sign this. It's just plain awful- and I have never subscribed to those kinds of business practices.

Aggressiveness is one thing, if it's on your behalf. That's a good thing. But, pushy behavior aimed at a you, as a buyer,  doesn't get anyone anywhere- except angry and/or frustrated.

Funny thing about buying real estate. If you talk to any of your friends who have purchased a home, or can recall any of the times that you bought a  home,  the main reason for buying that home was that it just "felt" right. Most often, the minute you step into that house, you know it's for you.

That's not anything someone can "sell" you. No one is going to the closing table on a home that they were pushed into buying, whether that pressure is coming from an agent, a spouse, friend or family member.
 
If you feel that you are being pushed into making a decision from your Realtor, then get another agent. It's that simple.

An agent's job is to listen to your needs, and then find and show you properties that fit your criteria that are within an affordable or comfortable range for you.

When you walk into that special home, and decide that you want to purchase it, the agent's job becomes getting you the best price for the home that you want, with terms and conditions that are optimum for you.

If you are looking for an agent to assist you in finding your home, negotiate the best deal for you, AND  that won't try and push you into doing something that you don't want to do, contact me.

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The Featured Home of the Week is at 125 Norton Road in Easton  for $1.4M. See the virtual tour HERE

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like:

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Setting a Time Frame for Buying a Home. How Long Does it Take?

If you are about to embark upon the process of buying a home, there are many things to consider besides the actual home itself. Unlike renting a home, where you could conceivably move into your new residence in less than a week, getting to the point of occupancy takes time when you are buying, unless you are paying cash for your next home. -and then, it is not guaranteed, even if the seller could accommodate such a quick closing.

A number of steps throughout the process take time.

 The basic steps are:
 
 Find and Hire a Realtor to represent you. (me)
 Get pre-approved for a mortgage
 Search for Homes
 Place an offer on a home, and get written seller's acceptance
 Formally apply for your mortgage, if you haven't already done so
 Conduct a building inspection
 Sign a formal contract of sale.
 Obtain a mortgage commitment, and "clear to close"
 
Once you obtain a "clear to close" you will be able to close on your home in three to five days.

The time involved for all of these steps is really up to  how fast you can go through the process. Most of the time, we figure on about 45-60 days from signed binder (or initial offer agreement) to closing.

It is certainly possible to close in as little as 30 days, as long as you are diligent in your efforts.

If you are in the market to buy a home, and need to close quickly, contact me. I will guide you the process, be there every step of the way. ith a solid track record for helping buyers move into their next home quickly if needed, I have the experience to assist you, and would be honored to be on your side.

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like:

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

"Sneak Peek Open" at 4 Highwood Lane Westport for $700K on 8/16

Come take a look at this newly listed  2,116 square foot home on 1.24 acres in Westport on Thursday 8/16/2012 between 11AM and 1PM. It's a great value in a very desirable area of town, and just needs some minor cosmetics- and they are minor.

Just so you know, you won't need to be concerned about the roof or windows - they are recent, and the mechanicals are only a few months old.

The three bedroom, three bath home is private, and not visible from the road- There is also an inground pool with a cabana. The property  looks and feels likes a sanctuary. At this price, this home is NOT to be missed. View more pictures of 4 Highwood Lane and/or request your personal showing if you can't make it on Thursday.

NOTE: There won't be any signs directing you there like normal open houses, but a for sale sign is on the property, and I will be there along with a mortgage broker to answer any questions you may have. Bring your checkbook!

Refreshments will be served. Hope to see you!

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Buying or Selling a Home in Westport or in Fairfield County? We'd love to represent you.

Feel free to email us here or visit our main  site at

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Westport or in Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Looking for a New Home, and Need What Seems to Be the Impossible?

The excitement of searching for a new home  is all- consuming, but what if what you desire in your next home seems next to impossible? You don't necessarily have to lower your standards.

I repeat, you don't necessarily have to lower your standards.

A great real estate agent will help you to begin the process by asking lots of questions, and LISTENING. Questions like, what are your must haves, what are your "absolutely nots", and what are the nice to haves, and what are the "it doesn't matter one way or the others".

The initial conversations about your home search criteria, and subsequent discussions with your agent will help you determine if your expectations are reasonable or not. And guess what? Your expectations may not be unreasonable. It may just be a matter of your agent working hard for you to get you that home.

As a buyer client, you don't ever need to  apologize for putting an agent "into a box". A good agent should never feel like you did, and would welcome the challenge to get you that perfect home. (I know I do.) While we are on the subject, don't ever feel the need to apologize   to your agent because you want what you want, or  because you don't like the home they just showed you, if that's the case.

There are plenty of agents that will be happy to find you your next home, as long as it doesn't take too much time or effort. Weed those agents out, and find an agent who is diligent on your behalf. The rest is easy.

Check out some of my own customer reviews- My prior clients were happy to write them, and I am happy to share them.

Your next Realtor,

Judy

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County? We'd love to represent you.

Feel free to email us here or visit our main  site at

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy